At a Glance

With local experts, delve into all things Victorian: architecture and the secrets that old houses hold, literature, decorative arts, antiques and pastimes of a bygone era. Enjoy visits with living-history characters, walk with experts in Victorian interiors like the Frank Furness-designed Emlen Physick Estate, visit the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and take on issues of the day in a lively Temperance Debate.

Activity Level

Active

Walk two miles per day, varied terrain, very uneven pavement; standing one hour. Stairs during museum visit.

Best of all, you'll ...

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, step back in time to the Victorian era of America’s first seashore resort.

Around every corner, experience Victorian architecture and the secrets held within.

Discover the social customs and traditions that permeate the parlors with the sea as your backdrop.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Robert Heinly

A former college professor, Dr. Robert Heinly is the Museum Education Director for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities. During his career as an educator, Robert served as a curriculum supervisor, administrator and mentor to student teachers. He is also an experienced living history re-enactor, having played roles at Independence Hall National Park. In Cape May, he has become Dr. Emlen Physick, the eccentric doctor who built the Physick Estate and was a civic gadfly in his era.

John Bailey's best selling book tells the complete story of the 141-year old Cape May lighthouse. A remarkable mix of technical exposition, historical observation and personal sentiment. Available from the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts' Museum Shop, 609-884-5404, extension 142

Victorian America: Transformations in Everyday Life

by Schlerth, Thomas

American Home Life: 1880-1930

by Foy, Jessica and Schlerth, Thomas

Summer City by the Sea

by Emil Salvini

This is the story of the rise and the fall and rise again of the country's first seaside resort - a fantasy city created by whalers, river pilots and speculators and molded by fires and storms. Its two-hundred year roller coaster ride resulted in Cape May regaining the title of Queen of the Seaside Resorts. Available through the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts' Museum Shop, 609-884-5404, extension 142

Cape May: Queen of the Seaside Resorts

by George Thomas and Carl Doebley

This is a wonderful reference and souvenir of your stay in Cape May with an introductory historical essay and an extensive section of photographs of the most historic buildings of Cape May. This fine book is available at the Museum Shop of the Emlen Physick Estate and can be ordered online from the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts or call 609-884-5404 ext. 117 for mail order.

Morning: 9:30 a.m.: An Introduction to Victorian Era and Cape May – Overviews of highlights of the history of Cape May and Victorian Era with emphasis on how the Victorians’ history and culture contributed to both Cape May’s becoming the Victorian Era Queen of the Seaside Resorts and its modern Victorian Renaissance.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Take a Trolley Tour to Cape May Point visiting the Lighthouse and Sunset Beach . We will also visit Cape May Point and The Lighthouse.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m.: Dinner in hotel.

Evening: Living History Presentation: Temperance Debate. Take part in a lively discussion on whether or not Cape May should remain dry during prohibition or go the way of sin as in Atlantic City.

DAY

3

Carriage House Tearoom,

Cape May, NJ

B,L

Grand Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a trolley tor of the Historic District orienting you to the community in which you will spend the rest of the week followed by a visit of the: Emlen Physick Estate, attributed to architect, Frank Furnace and see how the Physick family lived.

Lunch: Lunch at Carriage House Cafe & Tearoom on the grounds of Emlen Physick Estate.

Afternoon: Stroll back to the hotel through the historic district with our local expert and learn about the Victorian Architecture of the beautiful gingerbread covered mansions.

Dinner: Dinner on own this evening

Evening: Free Evening to explore Cape May.

DAY

4

Spiritualism in the Victorian Era, Ghost Walk, Performance

Cape May, NJ

B,L,D

Grand Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: Learn about Victorian Spiritualism and the rise of clairvoyants, illusionists and mediums. Then take a guided walk focusing on the Ghosts of Cape May ending in town.

Lunch: Lunch in Historic Cape May.

Afternoon: Lecture: Victorian theater and it's characteristics.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an evening theater performance at one of Cape May's historic theaters.

DAY

5

Lectures, Trolley to The Mansions, free afternoon

Cape May, NJ

B,L,D

Grand Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: Living History Presentation: John Philip Sousa followed by a Mansions by the Seaside Trolley Tour.

Lunch: Lunch at hotel.

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore or relax.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at hotel or local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

6

Sweet Surprise, Program Concludes

Cape May, NJ

B

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Our program ends after breakfast to enable you to make an early start to return to your perspectives cities.

Meals

13 Meals

5 Breakfasts

4 Lunches

4 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

If you want to learn all about Victorian life and experience what it would have been like to live in a small town in Victorian times, then this is the program for you. The information is presented in a fun way and the field trips around town enrich the whole experience.

Any Cape May Adventure is worth it. We were changed from the program we chose. I had doubts if I would like Victorian but we enjoyed it thoroughly. If you love the ocean it is a must to do. Every person who lead or presented made you want to learn.

The Cape May program was interesting and enjoyable. We had a good balance of presentations, excursions and free time to explore the area. Our group leader did an excellent job managing the group and fostering a group spirit. The hotel was somewhat "overbooked" but was comfortable and well-situated. The meals were more than adequate (but not superior). The weak spot was the quality of the presentations.

Lecturers were very weak and disjointed save the Sousa person. People attending great. Food fair. This is my 7th RS event. Please get different lecturers. I still enjoyed the programs except this one.
Leo
Yardley, Pa. 9/13-9/18